Council mourns passing of Bert Hill
Previous to the meeting, Mayor Stephens spoke of the recent passing of former Island resident Bert Hill and noted that he had been very active in the community, had served as a councillor and reeve, was active in his church and at Haven House, was a successful cattle farmer and had been married for 65 years. He then asked council for a moment of silence in honour of Mr. Hill.
Roads Committee
Council accepted a recommendation that CAO/Clerk Ruth Frawley work with Maja Mielonen and Guy Nielen to prepare for the anticipated cycling infrastructure funding application.
It was recommended to council and carried that staff be asked to prepare a bylaw with a policy that would control fencing along municipal road allowances and set up an agreement form to use between landowners and the municipality. Councillor MacDonald asked if, when properties change hands, can the municipality get information out to people. Mayor Stephens pointed out that buyers need to ask and know about any agreements.
Council agreed that the municipality sign an agreement between Mr. Rick Piche and the municipality to allow the use of a portion of the road allowance between Concession 4 and 5 on Lot 9, Campbell Township to access his property as per bylaw 2013-23. When Councillor Stephens asked if this had been done yet, Ms. Frawley responded by saying that the matter had to go to council first and noted that Mr. Piche was asking that signage be removed.
The Roads Committee year to date financial report ending April 30, 2015 was approved by council
Property Committee
It was recommended to council that the current Providence Bay Hall and Mindemoya Hall custodian worker positions be set to one full-time permanent position and one part-time permanent maintenance worker position remunerated on an hourly basis utilizing these positions in the best interest of the municipality and employees. Councillor Alex Baran expressed concern as he noted that the two people who hold these positions are doing a good job and would perhaps not necessarily be the people who would get the jobs. Councillor Stephens wanted council to change the hours of these positions from every day to 48 hours as the Employment Standards Act does not allow someone to work seven days a week. He also expressed concern about losing the people presently holding these positions. Councillor Taylor noted that there are electronic devices that could be used for the halls which could eliminate checking on buildings every day, adding, “I don’t like to see anyone work for seven days.” Councillor Stephens asked for a recorded vote on the issue and the motion was defeated with Councillor MacDonald the only member in agreement of the recommendation.
Council accepted the recommendation that a formal Lease Agreement be drafted for the Concession Booth at the Providence Bay Arena.
A motion to council that the weekend of June 19, 20 and 21, 2015 be declared a Community Festival accommodating the Pearson Cup Tournament and that the Mindemoya Curling Club be allowed to hold an outside beer garden under LCBO and municipal regulations was accepted.
The Property Committee year to date financial report dated April 30, 2015 was approved.
New Business
The gravel tenders for 2015 will be awarded to Calvin Pearson who had the lowest of three bids. Mayor Stephens noted that there had been concern in the past about the gravel being used, to which Ms. Frawley replied that screen testing of the gravel is done in Sudbury.
FONOM Conference
Mayor Stephens and Councillor Stephens reported that the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) conference was very good and council members had many worthwhile discussions with other attendees.
